No One is Exempt From the Querying Process
- By: Jessica Faust | Date: Jun 23 2020
Like every other agent, I have standard responses to queries–both when I’m rejecting and when I’m requesting material. When you’re receiving hundreds of queries a month it’s a necessary evil.
While my responses are standard, I have tailored a few to make them slightly more personal and helpful whenever possible. The one I use most commonly is a rejection that suggests the writer look again at their query. Typically it means I might very well have requested more material, but the query just missed the mark. It’s my attempt to let the querier know that maybe a revised query will get them more requests.
It’s also the response that gets the most backlash.
I get a surprising number of queries that say nothing. Typically in nonfiction, but it does happen in fiction as well. The author in these cases assumes that a paragraph telling me about themselves will be enough for me to want to read the book. But here’s the thing, I still need to know what the book is about. A memoir is a lot different from a book on leadership and also a lot different from a parenting book, or a thriller or a romance. Some of these are right for me and some aren’t. Some I want to read, some I don’t.
No one can avoid the query. You can tell me how long your career as a journalist has been or how many years you’ve been speaking to audiences about arthritis, but I still need to know what your book is about. Even previously published writers need a query. To sell the book, I care mostly about the book. So do readers.
So bash me all you want, berate me for expecting you to do the same work I expect from every author. It won’t change my mind. In fact, it only solidifies for me that I made the right decision by passing.
Wow. I’m guessing you must have had a spate of these recently. I can understand writers not nailing their query – it’s not easy to write, especially for those new to the trenches. But to then respond in a negative way…that’s not professional. I bet you do sigh in relief at dodging a bullet when you get those replies.
Thank you, Jessica! As an author, it’s frustrating getting reject letters without any reason why. Feedback is very useful to us. I understand agents are busy, but a sentence or two would be appreciated. I suggest a simple checklist of the top reject reasons. Just my humble opinion.
I understand that Russ. I really do. The problem is that very often there is no feedback to give. The book just wasn’t big enough, different enough or something to get us excited.
That’s a cop out, Jessica. There is ALWAYS a reason. I have screened thousands of job applications in my career, and I did have a checklist. It worked great. Most of the candidates didn’t have the necessary experience or education. In your case I suspect the story wasn’t captivating enough for me or the writing needs work would be your most prevalent reasons.
“Speaking to people about arthritis “. LOL
Thanks for the insight. You are a gem!
Thank you.
Sorry you are getting bashed for something that is just a norm in our business. It still surprises me that people don’t take advantage of all the free how-tos on the web. There’s plenty of great info on querying. Thanks for being one more source of great info.